Aaron Boone can see the Yankees using an 'opener'

TAMPA — Jonathan Loaisiga made the argument for the Yankees to use an opener this year. The young right-hander pitched a beautiful first inning Tuesday night and unraveled in the second inning. Allowing all six of the runs he gave up in the Yankees’ 8-7 win over the Orioles.

With Luis Severino missing the start of the season on the injured list with right rotator cuff inflammation and CC Sabathia slowed by knee and heart surgery, the Yankees are going to have to rely on young guys like Loaisiga, Luis Cessa and Domingo German.

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“There is still time...you know, I think they’ve all to varying degrees done a lot that we hoped and put themselves in good positions. Even though Lo struggled a little bit tonight, he’s still done enough to put himself in a good position,” Yankee manager Aaron Boone said when asked if those three will make the team. “Still a little ways to go.”Barring a free agent signing or trade for pitching depth, however, this is what the Yankees have to cover those early season starts.

Loaisiga got roughed up in his bid to make the rotation. (Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire / AP)

So an opener, using the bullpen arms that the Yankees so heavily invested in this winter, makes sense. And Boone has hinted that could be something they do this year, using a guy like Chad Green to handle the first time through a lineup and then giving the ball to a Loaisiga.

"I could see it being something we consider from time to time," Boone said after the game. "I don't see it a lot, but I could see it coming into play on certain occasions. There's so many things that for us would go into that."

The Yankees faced the opener several times last season with the Rays. Considering that they are now already dipping into the bullpen to cover Severino — Cess was penciled in as the long-man — it makes a lot of sense. It will also be a way to give some starters, like a 38-year old Sabathia some extra rest down the stretch.